Intersection to be improved in Seymour

SEYMOUR  A $360,000 project that will improve the sometimes treacherous intersection of Route 34 and Route 188 is expected to get under way by 2005, officials said Thursday.

Jean Falbo-Sosnovich

Published 12:00 am, Friday, September 19, 2003

The project will widen Route 34 near Villa Bianca, to provide better access to Route 188. A traffic signal will also be installed at the intersection, which will make turning onto Route 188 easier and safer, officials said.

Both routes are state-owned roadways.

State Rep. Len Greene, R-Beacon Falls, said Thursday that the work is possible because this week the State Bond Commission authorized $360,420 for the road improvements.

Construction will take about one year to complete.

Greene said he is pleased that the state took notice of the problem intersection, especially in light of the ongoing budget crisis.

"The number of rear-end collisions at this site are a clear indication of the need for the turn lane and traffic signal," Greene said. "The project will also ease traffic congestion at the intersection. In light of our ongoing budget crisis, its important the state still recognizes the need to protect public safety."

Greene, who is a member of the Legislatures Public Safety Committee, said he did not know how many accidents and near-accidents have occurred at the dangerous intersection over the years, but he said hes sure there have been many. He said the improvements would greatly enhance the safety of the intersection for commuters.

"That intersection, and Route 34, in general, has gotten a lot busier in recent years," Greene said. "More people are commuting in that area."

The stretch of Route 34 runs through Derby and Seymour and into Monroe.